Australia guards its shores against bird flu

[Marco Luci]

Australia, so far free from Asia's deadly strain of bird flu, is
patrolling its northern regions to guard against infection from
migratory birds and screening airline passengers for poultry products.

This is the time of year, the southern spring, when migratory and
nomadic birds migrate south -- many through Asia -- to land in northern
parts of Australia.

Many birds fly in from Indonesia, the latest hotspot for avian flu,
most landing in the Broome area of far northwestern Australia or in the
Northern Territory. Many also by-pass mainland Asia to fly down the
country's eastern coastline.

Bird flu has killed 64 people in four Asian countries since late 2003
and has been found in birds in Russia and Europe.